FOR AGENDA - IRAC Doc. 31061/2

FOR INFORMATION - AH-214 Ref. Doc. 31061/1

REF: AH-214-051

April 21, 1999

MEMORANDUM TO: Executive Secretary, IRAC

FROM: Convener, Ad Hoc 214

SUBJECT: Proposed Changes to the NTIA Manual for a VHF/UHF Public Safety Interoperability Plan.

Ad Hoc 214, in cooperation with the Federal Law Enforcement Wireless User's Group (FLEWUG) has developed a recommended plan for interoperable law enforcement and incident response operations in the 162-174 MHz and 406.1-420 MHz bands. These frequencies are to be available for assignment to all Federal Government agencies to satisfy intermittent law enforcement and public safety incident response requirements. Non-Government entities may use these frequencies only in cooperation with agencies of the Federal Government.

Ad Hoc 214 has approved the attached proposed changes to the NTIA Manual and forwards them to the IRAC for approval.

Attachment

4.3.X Plans for Interagency Law Enforcement and Incident Response Operations in the Bands 162-174 MHz and 406.1-420 MHz

CONDITIONS FOR USE

1. The frequencies shown in this plan are available for assignment to all Government agencies to satisfy intermittent law enforcement and public safety incident response requirements. Non-Government agencies may use these frequencies only in cooperation with agencies of the Federal Government. Federal agencies will provide written certification to non-Government agencies indicating that the non-Government operation is necessary. Non-Government entities will be advised in the written certification that under Federal law they are required to obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for such operations, and that the FCC File Number for the license, once obtained, will be provided to the Government agency providing the written certification. A copy of this certification will also be submitted to the NTIA Public Safety Program Office. Federal agencies shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.3.12 of this Manual. The frequencies are available on a shared basis and will not be authorized for the exclusive use of any one agency.

2. All Government operations shall be authorized in accordance with Chapter 9 of this Manual. The FCC will submit all non-Government applications to the Frequency Assignment Subcommittee (FAS) for approval.

3. Base stations are authorized use of the mobile transmit frequencies for access to fixed stations, e.g., repeaters. Mobile stations are permitted to use fixed station transmit frequencies for talk-around communications.

4. The following restrictions apply:

(a) the minimum ERP necessary to support the intended use shall be employed;

(b) the maximum base or mobile transmitter output power shall not exceed 125 Watts; and

(c) the gain of the base station antenna shall not exceed 6 dBi.

5. Exceptions to the above restrictions will be considered by the FAS on a case-by-case basis.

LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANS

1. Frequencies 167.0875 MHz and 414.0375 MHz are designated as National Calling Channels for initial contact and will be identified in the radio as indicated in paragraph 2 below. Initial contact communications will be established using analog FM emission (11KF3E). The agency in control of the incident will assign specific operational channels as required for incident support operations.

2. The interoperability frequencies will be identified in mobile and portable radios as follows with Continuous Tone-Controlled Squelch Systems (CTCSS) frequency 167.9 Hz and/or Network Access Code (NAC) $68F:

VHF PLAN

Mobile Mobile

Identifier Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz)

Natl Call 167.0875 (Simplex) 167.0875

Inop 1 162.0875 167.0875

Inop 2 162.2625 167.2500

Inop 3 162.8375 167.7500

Inop 4 163.2875 168.1125

Inop 5 163.4250 168.4625

Inop 6 167.2500 (Simplex) 167.2500

Inop 7 167.7500 (Simplex) 167.7500

Inop 8 168.1125 (Simplex) 168.1125

Inop 9 168.4625 (Simplex) 168.4625

UHF PLAN

Mobile Mobile

Identifier Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz)

Natl Call 414.0375 (Simplex) 414.0375

Inop 1 418.9875 409.9875

Inop 2 419.1875 410.1875

Inop 3 419.6125 410.6125

Inop 4 414.0625 (Simplex) 414.0625

Inop 5 414.3125 (Simplex) 414.3125

Inop 6 414.3375 (Simplex) 414.3375

Inop 7 409.9875 (Simplex) 409.9875

Inop 8 410.1875 (Simplex) 410.1875

Inop 9 410.6125 (Simplex) 410.6125

3. All applications using these allotted frequencies shall be affixed with Record Note Sxxx - This assignment is for a joint law enforcement requirement pursuant to Section 4.3.X of this Manual.

INCIDENT RESPONSE PLANS

1. Frequencies 169.5375 MHz, paired with 164.7125 MHz, and 410.2375 MHz, paired with 419.2375 MHz, are designated as the calling channels for initial contact and will be identified in the radio as indicated in paragraph 2. Initial contact will be established using analog FM emission (11KF3E). CTCSS will not be used on the calling channels to ensure access by stations from outside the normal area of operation. The agency in control of the incident will assign specific operational channels as required for incident support operations.

2. The Interoperability frequencies will be identified in mobile and portable radios as follows:

VHF PLAN

Mobile Mobile

Identifier Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz) CTCSS

VHF Calling 164.7125 169.5375 None

VHF 1 165.2500 170.0125 As required

VHF 2 165.9625 170.4125 As required

VHF 3 166.5750 170.6875 As required

VHF 4 167.3250 173.0375 As required

VHF 5 169.5375 (Simplex) 169.5375 As required

VHF 6 170.0125 (Simplex) 170.0125 As required

VHF 7 170.4125 (Simplex) 170.4125 As required

VHF 8 170.6875 (Simplex) 170.6875 As required

VHF 9 173.0375 (Simplex) 173.0375 As required

UHF PLAN

Mobile Mobile

Identifier Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz) CTCSS

UHF Calling 419.2375 410.2375 None

UHF 1 419.4375 410.4375 As required

UHF 2 419.6375 410.6375 As required

UHF 3 419.8375 410.8375 As required

UHF 4 413.1875 (Simplex) 413.1875 As required

UHF 5 413.2125 (Simplex) 413.2125 As required

UHF 6 410.2375 (Simplex) 410.2375 As required

UHF 7 410.4375 (Simplex) 410.4375 As required

UHF 8 410.6375 (Simplex) 410.6375 As required

UHF 9 410.8375 (Simplex) 410.8375 As required

3. All applications using these allotted frequencies shall be affixed with Record Note Sxxx - This assignment is for a joint incident response requirement pursuant to Section 4.3.X of this Manual.

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